Jason Aaron Sokol, MD

Basal Cell Carcinoma

DID YOU KNOW?

Excessive sun exposure can result in painful sunburn, but can also lead to other serious health problems, including melanoma, a life-threatening form of skin cancer.

Children are at greatest risk, since serious sunburns during the initially 18 years of life is believed to increase the risk of cancer by more than 50%.

For those with sun-sensitive skin, fair complexions, light hair, or for those who spend excessive amounts of time in the sun, SafeSun is for you.

The most common types of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Both types enlarge locally and usually do not spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body. But, if it is not completely excised, it will eventually invade adjacent structures.

Pigmented Basal Cell

Since both basal and squamous cell carcinoma are relatively slow growing, if they are detected early and treated in a prompt and appropriate manner, there is an excellent chance of removing the tumor completely and minimizing the amount of tissue affected by the carcinoma

Basal cell is the most common eyelid malignancy and occurs most commonly on the lower lid, followed by medial canthus and upper eyelid

Excision of the tumor can be performed by a MOHS surgeon, an dermatologist, or an ophthalmic plastic surgeon

Below is a series from a patient with a basal cell carcinoma who required a tarso-conjunctival flap procedure

Pre - Operative photo of basal cell carcinoma of the left lower lid

Intraoperative photo with large defect in left lower eyelid to completely remove cancer

Intraoperative photo with tarsoconjunctival flap

Post- operative photo with after release of flap, 6 weeks later

Mohs: Mohs Surgery is a form of excisional surgery that acts as a "perpetual biopsy," a term coined by the author. MOHS Surgery is the most accurate form of skin-cancer removal and spares more normal tissue than any other method. MOHS Surgery was developed by a dermatologist, Dr. Frederick E. Mohs, at the University of Wisconsin in the early half of this century.